Yesterday I visited the Cloth Shop at their new Granville Island location (bonus: it's next to the market, which meant that I also came away with bagels, basil and pinenuts, watermelon, and a doughnut).  As you can see, I was in a pink polka-dot mood, and I discovered that Denyse Schmidt's Flea Market Fancy line has been reissued.  This was such a great collection, and I had long since used up all my remnants of it.  The two florals on the left are in the midst of becoming a skirt; they also really remind me of Barbara.  We would go fabric shopping together around the time when this was first in stores (I think she used the same print for curtains).

Yesterday Sian and I took our bikes out to the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve Road - a 10km paved trail through the woods (for walking, cycling and roller blading; no motorized vehicles).  This was my first time on a bike since my accident, and it was the perfect outing.  Nice smooth road, 20km in total (plus riding to and from downtown), no traffic, pretty scenery... 

At the end of the trail, there's an old growth loop through the woods, which was just icing on the cake. 
The other great thing?  This trail is accessible by transit - either take the 210 bus from downtown, or the 228 bus from Lonsdale Quay. 

Now that my bike and I have been reunited, I can start planning my summer cycling trips.  This route looks particularly inviting...  Something to work up towards.

I went to Portland for a few days.  It was my second time going to the city of crafting, hipsters, and food trucks.

My favourite part of the trip started with a walk to, and a tour of, Pittock Mansion.

This is a turn-of-the-century mansion high in the hills on the west edge of the city.  It was built by an entrepreneur and civic leader, Henry Pittock.  Construction started when he was 74 years old.  Just a little retirement project.

Another great reason to visit the mansion on foot is to get there via forest-y trails and a swanky residential neighbourhood with labyrinthine streets.

This looks like a gilded portrait of our former cat, Harold.

The Japanese gardens in Washington Park were also lovely.

No cell phone use allowed!

I stayed across the street from Kenny and Zuke's Delicatessen, and strolled over there for a veggie ruben with a side of potato salad.  Delicious!

There are 3 Salt and Straw's in Portland.

Gourmet ice cream.  This one is in the charming and lovely Nob Hill district.  If you're in town, take a stroll down NW 23rd Avenue!

And try the pear with blue cheese or the coffee with bourbon ice cream.  Unfortunately, I didn't, because I ran out of room.

An art and craft installation at PDX airport.

Also of note, but not with photo evidence:  I had one of the best veggie burgers I've ever had at Besaw's.  There was another visit to Grand Central Bakery.  It's worth a trip to Collage - a mixed-media art supply store with so much fun stuff to look at.  And then you can go across the street to check out the amazing pie selection at Random Order.  Still lots more to see and do - which means another trip is called for (maybe 2013...).